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Little
House on the Prairie
Shannen
joined
the
serie
in
last
season.
One of Shannen's most fortunate moves as an actress was the one that put
her in contract with the late Michael Landon. As creator of the series "Father
Murphy," he cast her first in a two-part episode of the show - the part of Drusilla
Shannon. Shannen had a strong hunch that she'd get the part because her own name was
reflected in the character's name - and her lucky doll was named Drusilla !
(click on the images
to enlarge)
Later, when
Michael
Landon created his new series (Michael was the executive producer as well as the star of the show)
"Little House: A New Beginning," he gave her the
choice role of Jenny Wilder.
Shannen was only 11 at the time.
Working with Michael Landon," Shannen says now, "was one of
the most important stepping stories in my career. I credit him for guiding me in the right
direction when I was very young."
(source: Teen, December
1991)
(click on the image
to enlarge)
Some history
about Little House on the Prairie (1974-1984)......
The long-running NBC drama "Little House on the Prairie" was based upon
the series of "Little House" children's books, written by author Laura
Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957).
The TV series came on the heels of a successful made-for-TV movie, which had aired in 1974.
Little House on the Prairie followed the Ingalls family, a simple,
hard-working farm family. Charles Ingalls
(played
by
Michael
Landon)
with
his wife Caroline
Ingalls
(played by Karen Graslle), and their three daughters: Mary
Ingalls
(played by Melissa Sue
Anderson) and Laura
Ingalls
(played by Melissa Gilbert), and little Carrie
Ingalls.
Later
Caroline
Ingalls gave birth to a fourth daughter, Grace
Ingalls
and they
also
adopted,
first Albert
Ingalls and
later also
James
and Cassandra Cooper.
(click on the images
to enlarge)

Shannen participated
in 17
episodes
(in season nine) and in 3
tv-films
(in season ten)
And
here is the complete list. Thanks to Patrick Loubatière
(writer of a "Little House" book, and interviewer of
several actors on the Little House DVDs)
for
helping me with episode list.
:)
SEASON
NINE (Shannen was in 17 episodes) IMDb
link
9.01
Times are Changing 01 (27-Sep-1982) - Almanzo's brother, Royal, comes to Walnut Grove with his daughter,
Jenny.
9.02
Times are Changing 02 (04-Oct-1982) - Royal has a very bad heart and asks Laura and Almanzo to take care of
his daughter since he was going to die soon. Jenny is devastated by her
father's death. After talking to Reverend Alden about heaven, she tries
to commit suicide by drowning so that she could be with her father
again. Jeb Carter is able to save Jenny although he can't swim. Laura
convinces Jenny that she should do what would make her parents proud.
9.03
Welcome to Olesonville (11-Oct-1982)
9.04
Rage (18-Oct-1982) - When
Almanzo is away looking for the man (the man who shot his wife and daughter), the crazy man comes into the
Wilder's house believing that Laura and Jenny are his wife and
daughter. When the search party goes over to the Wilders, the crazed
man steps outside and is killed.
9.05
Little Lou (25-Oct-1982) - Shannen was
not in
this episode!
9.06
The Wild Boy 1 (01-Nov-1982) - A traveling side-show comes to Walnut Grove advertising a wild boy. The
wild boy escapes and befriends Jenny and the Wilders.
9.07
The Wild Boy 2 (08-Nov-1982)
9.08
The Return of Nellie (15-Nov-1982)
9.09
The Empire Builders (22-Nov-1982) -
Shannen
was
not
in this episode!
9.10
Love (29-Nov-1982)
9.11
Alden's Dilemma (06-Dec-1982)
9.12
Marvin's Garden (03-Jan-1983) - Jenny looses a necklace in a pond and almost drowns trying to get it.
After the incident, she has partial brain damage and has to retrain
herself to talk and walk. Jenny's friend, a retired doctor, helps Jenny
to force herself to get better. Thanks to him, Jenny makes a complete
recovery.
9.13
Sins of the Fathers (10-Jan-1983) -
Shannen
was
not in
this episode!
9.14
The Old Brothers (17-Jan-1983) - Shannen was
not in
this episode!
9.15
Once upon a Time (24-Jan-1983)
9.16
Home Again (07-Feb-1983)
9.17
A Child With No Name (14-Feb-1983)
9.18
The Last Summer (21-Feb-1983)
9.19
For the Love of Blanche (07-Mar-1983)
9.20
May I Have This Dance (14-Mar-1983)
9.21
Hello and Goodbye (21-Mar-1983)
SEASON
TEN (Shannen was in 3 tv-films)
Little
House: Look Back to Yesterday (12-Dec-1983) -
IMDb
link
Little
House: The Last Farewell (06-Feb-1984) - IMDb
link
Little
House: Bless All the Dear Children (17-Dec-1984)
- IMDb
link
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